How to bathe your cat.
Today, more and more people are keeping their cats predominantly indoors. Most pet owners also let their cats wander outside for some much needed time in the fresh air.
After your cat has explored all the nature the backyard has to offer, they may return indoors covered in dirt, poop, or any number of things that you don’t want tracked across the floor inside your house. At times like this, giving kitty a bath is necessary.
Follow the steps below to ensure that your feline friend comes up squeaky clean, your house remains unsoiled and you don’t end up covered in scratches!
Equipment needed:
-Non-slip rubber mat (such as a bath / shower mat)
-Plastic cup
-Cat shampoo
-Cat brush
-Towel
-Cat treats (optional)
Considerations before you begin:
-Do not use human shampoo! It is too strong for cats and may have adverse effects such as the drying out and painful irritation of your cat’s skin. Use cat shampoo which can be purchased at a pet store.
-Do not pour water over your cat’s head and never dunk your cat’s head under water. This will be very unpleasant for your cat, and water in a cat’s ear canal can cause a painful infection.
-If your cat has dirt on their face / head, use a washer that has been dipped in warm water and then wrung out, to gently wipe away the dirt. Take care not to get any water in your cat’s ears or eyes.
-Clip your cat’s claws prior to bathing. This may prevent getting a nasty scratch from a nervous cat.
-Consider bathing your cat before their first meal of the day. This may prevent an anxious cat from pooping themselves, or on you during the bathing process (and let’s face it, no-one wants to get pooped on or have to bathe their cat twice!)
-Bathe your cat in the bathtub. You will be able to close the bathroom door to prevent your cat escaping, and it is much easier to clean a bath and tiled bathroom rather than a carpeted area, if things go awry.
-If your cat is afraid of water or has never been bathed before, consider having someone help you. One person can hold the cat in position in the bathtub to prevent any injuries the cat may cause itself while trying to run out of a slippery bath tub, while the other person bathes the cat. This may also help prevent any injuries inflicted by a frightened cat that may scratch or bite.
Steps:
1. Place the non-slip mat inside your bathtub.
2. Fill your bathtub with warm water, to a depth of about 10cm. The water should not be higher than halfway up your cat’s legs. Test the water temperature with your hand to make sure it is neither too hot or cold.
3. Bring your cat inside the bathroom and close the bathroom door to prevent your cat escaping.
4. Place the plastic cup, cat shampoo, cat brush and towel on the floor beside the bathtub so they will be within reach.
5. Place your cat in the bathtub, on top of the non-slip mat.
6. Use the plastic cup to scoop up some water and gently pour over your cat’s back until all your cat’s fur (including the belly and legs) is wet. Do not pour water over your cat’s head.
7. Squeeze a little of the cat shampoo onto your hands, and then gently massage into your cat’s fur, working the shampoo into a lather.
8. Use the plastic cup to scoop up water and pour over your cat’s back, while massaging your cat’s fur to rinse out the shampoo. Ensure all shampoo is rinsed out of your cat’s fur.
9. Drain the water out of the bathtub and while your cat is still in the tub, use the cat brush to brush out any excess water.
10. Use the towel to gently rub your cat’s fur, removing as much water from the fur as possible.
11. Remove your cat from the tub. Allow your cat to stay inside until they are fully dry. This will prevent your cat from getting chilled, and from getting dirt stuck to their wet fur if they go outside.
12. Once your cat is dry, brush your cat’s fur to get rid of any knots.
13. (Optional) Give your cat a treat for being so brave during the bathing process. If your cat associates being bathed with something positive, the next bath time may be easier!
